CIO Monica Eaton-Cardone: Women in FinTech Can Boost Bitcoin and Blockchain Growth
Fewer than 1 in 10 women invest in cryptocurrency, which may help explain its sluggish rate of adoption. FinTech executive Monica Eaton-Cardone maintains that women could have a positive impact on the future growth of bitcoin and blockchain.
TAMPA, Fla., July 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A recent study of cryptocurrency investors by eToro revealed that just 8.5% are women.(1) Considering that women control the majority of discretionary spending and purchase decisions,(2, 3) some industry observers have suggested that the lack of women in bitcoin and blockchain has hindered the widespread acceptance of these technologies.(4) Monica Eaton-Cardone, a financial technology (FinTech) executive specializing in risk management and fraud prevention, believes that cryptocurrency and blockchain can benefit from a broader target audience and greater diversity in leadership, development and investment.
Despite the initial buzz surrounding cryptocurrency and blockchain, both technologies have been slow to go mainstream—and some theorize the industry is being "punished" for its lack of women.(4) Within the next 10 years, EY analysts project that women will control nearly 75% of discretionary spending worldwide.(2) Another report stated that women make or influence 85% of all purchase decisions, and projected that by next year women will represent $28 trillion in annual consumer spending.(3) Per Eaton-Cardone, this isn't an issue of fairness or women's rights; it's a matter of economics.
"When investment and adoption rates plateau, it's pointless to keep focusing on the same market segment—broadening the target will yield much better results," asserted Eaton-Cardone, who serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Global Risk Technologies and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chargebacks911.
And in the case of cryptocurrency and blockchain, that means getting more women involved in and excited about the technology. Eaton-Cardone has previously spoken out to advocate for greater diversity in FinTech and blockchain, and she is encouraged to see that some progress has been made since then. Female crypto enthusiasts' negative experiences culminated in a public uproar over January's 2018 North American Bitcoin Conference (NABC), which included just three women among its 80 speakers.(5) By comparison, the Women on the Block conference held in May garnered extensive press coverage, attention and praise for spotlighting female trailblazers and providing valuable new perspectives on the future of blockchain.(6)
These developments appear to have signaled a shift within the industry. A new study by the London Block Exchange (LBX) found that while interest in cryptocurrency has leveled out among male investors, interest among women climbed from 6% to 13% between December and May. Among millennial women, that figure rises to 20%. As a result, LBX findings suggest females are now considered the "growth audience" for crypto.(7)
"The industry needs more female innovators in FinTech, crypto and blockchain, because their innovations and successes will help engage and inspire that critical consumer-growth audience," said Eaton-Cardone.
She maintains that broadening the platform to include women can improve results exponentially. "You're not just looking to gain a handful of female traders and decision-makers; you have the potential to reach the key influencers who determine the investments of dual-income households and promote new technology initiatives in corporations," said Eaton-Cardone. "And that's how bitcoin and blockchain will achieve the widespread adoption and critical mass needed to become true industry disruptors."
Monica Eaton-Cardone frequently discusses technological developments and opportunities for women in FinTech, bitcoin and blockchain at industry conferences and events. She has been a featured panelist at TRUSTECH, the IATA World Financial Symposium and TRANSACT, and is also available for interviews and future speaking engagements. For more information, visit http://monicaec.com.
About Monica Eaton-Cardone:
Monica Eaton-Cardone is an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, author and industry thought leader who is internationally recognized for her expertise in risk management, chargeback mitigation, fraud prevention and merchant education. Eaton-Cardone found her calling as an entrepreneur when she sold her first business at the age of 19. She later became an eCommerce merchant; and after grappling with chargebacks and fraud, she took it upon herself to develop a comprehensive, robust solution that combined agile technologies and human insights. Today, Eaton-Cardone's innovations are helping thousands of organizations achieve sustainable growth, and she continues to pioneer loss-prevention best practices as CIO of Global Risk Technologies and COO of Chargebacks911. Eaton-Cardone is a champion of women in IT and business leadership, and aims to inspire the next generation of young innovators through her nonprofit organization, Get Paid for Grades. Get to know her at http://www.monicaec.com.
1. Ben, Mike. "Research Suggests Ripple Is Leading Women Interest in Cryptocurrencies That Has Doubled in a Year"; Coinpick.today; June 11, 2018.
2. EY (Ernst & Young Global Limited). Women: The Next Emerging Market; 2013.
3. Berthiaume, Dan. "Study: Women Influence 85% of All Purchases"; Chain Store Age; June 19, 2014.
4. Ang, Katerina. "All the Reasons Why Women Can Be the Future of Cryptocurrency"; Moneyish; December 4, 2017.
5. Eaton-Cardone, Monica. "Women In FinTech: Why Diversity Benefits Blockchain"; ValueWalk; April 24, 2018.
6. Cuen, Leigh. "The Use Cases and Applications for Involving Women in Blockchain"; CoinDesk; May 18, 2018.
7. Campbell, Rebecca. "Study: Women Make Up the Numbers for New Cryptocurrency Investors"; CoinJournal; June 11, 2018.
SOURCE Monica Eaton-Cardone
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